Minibus Union working with Gov’t to improve services

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, July 05, 2018

Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin has disclosed that the United Minibus Union (UMU) has agreed to improve the standard of services they provide to consumers.

The minister was speaking to members of the press during a sideline interview at the Guyana Rum Route Forum being hosted at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC) today.

The minister met with the Union on Wednesday to further discuss proposals sent to him by the body on a fare increase among other concerns.

“We are on the same page when it comes to the fact that there needs to be an analysis on the increase in the cost of operating a minibus. We are looking to get some data from them to do a proper analysis so that we get a better understanding of their current operating cost as opposed to four years ago; and whether a fare increase is justified and what the nature of such a fare increase should be,” Minister Gaskin said.

He said while the proposals were deliberated on; the services they provide were also discussed. “They also agree that minibus services need to be improved drastically from a consumer point of view, and a lot needs to be done to provide safe, comfortable and affordable travel.”

Minister Gaskin added, “we hear of minibuses being overloaded and certainly those are practices we must discourage, and if it means we have to fix a realistic fare to make that happen, then perhaps that is something we need to contemplate.”

Earlier this month, the UMU delivered a proposal to the Business Ministry for a number of considerations, including a 25 percent fare increase for short drops and a $40 increase for longer routes.

Other requests included the removal of the ban on used tyres, excise tax reductions and proper management of the importation of minibuses.

By: Crystal Stoll.